P-2 Neptune firebomber fatal crash June 3 2012

There is a P-2 owned by Neptune Aviation operating from the airport here (Grand Junction, Colorado)… glad to hear it wasn’t that one, but sad to confirm the news of a P-2 fatal crash in western Utah.

http://missoulian.com/news/local/missoula-based-firefighting-air-tanker-crashes-in-utah/article_18823d46-ade2-11e1-a231-001a4bcf887a.html

RIP to two brave souls.

Additionally, a P-2 fire-bomber operated by Minden Air made a 2/3 gear landing in western Nevada shortly after the Utah crash… no injuries, and no report of the extent of damage.

Neptune has 7 more P-2s in service (and 1 just pulled out of service), and has been flying a BAe-146 modified as a fire-bomber since last October. 2 more are due for delivery any time, and the company plans to have 11 in service by 2021, completely replacing their P-2 fleet.
http://missoulian.com/news/local/neptune-aviation-retires-air-tanker-with-cracks-but-jet-gets/article_fbcae2ba-a6df-11e1-84ab-001a4bcf887a.html

Minden also has a BAe-146 fire-bomber, and is planning to replace its 3 P-2s with more -146s.